Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip

If you happen to love daring, savory flavors with a contact of warmth, these Korean BBQ Meatballs are a must-try.
Juicy, tender meatballs are coated in a wealthy, sticky Korean BBQ sauce and served with a creamy, spicy mayo dip for the right stability of flavors.
This recipe is good for a celebration appetizer, meal prep, or perhaps a weeknight dinner whenever you need one thing thrilling.
The mix of soy sauce, gochujang, sesame oil, and garlic creates an irresistible depth of taste that pairs superbly with the tangy, spicy mayo.
Whether or not you serve these meatballs on their very own, over rice, or in a sandwich, they’re assured to be successful.
Let’s dive into this simple and scrumptious Korean-inspired dish.
Components You’ll Want
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound floor beef (or pork, or a mixture of each)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated recent ginger
- 2 inexperienced onions, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Korean BBQ Sauce:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon gochujang
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated recent ginger
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch blended with 2 teaspoons water (for thickening)
For the Spicy Mayo Dip:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (or gochujang for additional warmth)
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Tips on how to Make Korean BBQ Meatballs
Step 1: Put together the Meatball Combination
In a big mixing bowl, mix the bottom meat, garlic, ginger, inexperienced onions, soy sauce, gochujang, sesame oil, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, and pepper. Combine every thing collectively till simply mixed. Keep away from overmixing to maintain the meatballs tender.
Step 2: Form and Prepare dinner the Meatballs
Utilizing your palms or a small scoop, roll the combination into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Baking Technique: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes till cooked via.
- Pan-Frying Technique: Warmth a big skillet over medium-high warmth with a little bit of oil. Prepare dinner the meatballs in batches, turning sometimes, till browned on all sides and totally cooked, about 8-10 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Korean BBQ Sauce
Whereas the meatballs cook dinner, put together the sauce. In a small saucepan, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, gochujang, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and honey. Deliver to a simmer over medium warmth, stirring sometimes.
In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then add it to the sauce. Stir repeatedly till the sauce thickens to a shiny consistency, about 2 minutes. Take away from warmth.
Step 4: Coat the Meatballs in Sauce
As soon as the meatballs are cooked, toss them within the heat Korean BBQ sauce till totally coated.
Tips on how to Make Spicy Mayo Dip
In a small bowl, whisk collectively mayonnaise, sriracha, and lime juice till easy. Modify spice stage by including kind of sriracha.

Finest Methods to Serve Korean BBQ Meatballs
These flavorful meatballs might be served in a number of methods:
- As an appetizer – Prepare on a platter with toothpicks and serve with the spicy mayo dip.
- Over rice – Pair with steamed jasmine rice and sautéed greens for an entire meal.
- In a sandwich – Serve in a smooth bun with shredded cabbage or kimchi for a Korean-inspired meatball sub.
Ideas for the Finest Meatballs
- Use recent garlic and ginger to maximise taste. Pre-minced choices don’t have the identical depth.
- Don’t overmix the meat as this may end up in powerful meatballs. Combine simply till mixed.
- Modify the spice stage primarily based on choice. Add extra gochujang for warmth or scale back it for a milder model.
- Bake for comfort, pan-fry for crispiness. Each strategies work nicely, however pan-frying provides a barely crisp texture.
Storage & Reheating Ideas
- Fridge: Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs (with out sauce) for as much as 2 months. Reheat earlier than including the sauce.
- Reheat: Heat meatballs in a skillet over low warmth with a splash of water to maintain them moist.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I make these meatballs forward of time?
Sure! You’ll be able to put together the meatballs and retailer them within the fridge for as much as 24 hours earlier than cooking. Cooked meatballs will also be saved and reheated as wanted.
What can I take advantage of as an alternative of gochujang?
If you happen to don’t have gochujang, you may substitute it with sriracha or a mixture of chili paste and a bit honey to imitate the sweet-spicy stability.
Can I take advantage of floor turkey or hen as an alternative of beef/pork?
Completely! Floor turkey or hen works nicely, however the texture could also be barely softer. Think about including an additional tablespoon of breadcrumbs to assist bind the combination.

Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound floor beef or pork, or a mixture of each
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon grated recent ginger
- 2 inexperienced onions finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon gochujang Korean chili paste
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Korean BBQ Sauce:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon gochujang
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon grated recent ginger
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch blended with 2 teaspoons water for thickening
For the Spicy Mayo Dip:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha or gochujang for additional warmth
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Step 1: Put together the Meatball Combination
- In a big mixing bowl, mix the bottom meat, garlic, ginger, inexperienced onions, soy sauce, gochujang, sesame oil, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, and pepper. Combine every thing collectively till simply mixed. Keep away from overmixing to maintain the meatballs tender.
Step 2: Form and Prepare dinner the Meatballs
- Utilizing your palms or a small scoop, roll the combination into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Baking Technique: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes till cooked via.
- Pan-Frying Technique: Warmth a big skillet over medium-high warmth with a little bit of oil. Prepare dinner the meatballs in batches, turning sometimes, till browned on all sides and totally cooked, about 8-10 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Korean BBQ Sauce
- Whereas the meatballs cook dinner, put together the sauce. In a small saucepan, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, gochujang, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and honey. Deliver to a simmer over medium warmth, stirring sometimes.
- In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then add it to the sauce. Stir repeatedly till the sauce thickens to a shiny consistency, about 2 minutes. Take away from warmth.
Step 4: Coat the Meatballs in Sauce
Tips on how to Make Spicy Mayo Dip
- In a small bowl, whisk collectively mayonnaise, sriracha, and lime juice till easy. Modify spice stage by including kind of sriracha.